Kadhimi invites Iraqi political parties to a ‘national dialogue’
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday invited leaders of political parties to his office to hold a “national dialogue” on Wednesday aimed at ending the current political deadlock in the country.
“Out of the common national responsibility that unites Iraqis on the principle of preserving Iraq's unity, security, and stability; I invite the leaders of the national political forces to a national meeting at the government palace tomorrow, Wednesday, to start a serious national dialogue and common thinking,” Kadhimi said in a statement.
Over ten months after Iraq held snap parliamentary elections, the political parties have failed to elect a president and a prime minister for the country due to disagreements. There are ongoing sit-ins in the capital city of Baghdad by the supporters of powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
Sadr, whose movement became the main winner of the October vote by gaining 73 seats, withdrew from the parliament in June after failing to reach an agreement with the rival Coordination Framework. On August 3, Sadr called for another snap election and the dissolution for the current parliament.
Kadhimi said in his statement that the aim of the Wednesday meeting is to “find solutions to the current political crisis… in a manner that contributes to calming the current escalation, and creating an appropriate environment for political and constitutional solutions, in a manner that serves to achieve the aspirations of our people.”
Some political parties have welcomed Sadr’s call for fresh elections while others want to stick to the results of the October elections.
“Out of the common national responsibility that unites Iraqis on the principle of preserving Iraq's unity, security, and stability; I invite the leaders of the national political forces to a national meeting at the government palace tomorrow, Wednesday, to start a serious national dialogue and common thinking,” Kadhimi said in a statement.
Over ten months after Iraq held snap parliamentary elections, the political parties have failed to elect a president and a prime minister for the country due to disagreements. There are ongoing sit-ins in the capital city of Baghdad by the supporters of powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
Sadr, whose movement became the main winner of the October vote by gaining 73 seats, withdrew from the parliament in June after failing to reach an agreement with the rival Coordination Framework. On August 3, Sadr called for another snap election and the dissolution for the current parliament.
Kadhimi said in his statement that the aim of the Wednesday meeting is to “find solutions to the current political crisis… in a manner that contributes to calming the current escalation, and creating an appropriate environment for political and constitutional solutions, in a manner that serves to achieve the aspirations of our people.”
Some political parties have welcomed Sadr’s call for fresh elections while others want to stick to the results of the October elections.